Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2203186 | Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology | 2007 | 11 Pages |
Abstract
The primitive chordate Ciona intestinalis has emerged as a significant model system for the study of heart development. The Ciona embryo employs a conserved heart gene network in the context of extremely low cell numbers and reduced genetic redundancy. Here, I review recent studies on the molecular genetics of Ciona cardiogenesis as well as classic work on heart anatomy and physiology. I also discuss the potential of employing Ciona to decipher a comprehensive chordate gene network and to determine how this network controls heart morphogenesis.
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Authors
Brad Davidson,